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I consider ILB a need, specifically SILB, and more specifically, on running downs. Short of moving Adalius inside in the base 3-4 (and starting a re-signed Pierre Woods, for instance), I think the position will be one we need to address in the offseason.

Guyton may be the answer long term as a nickel ILB whose speed can be used in coverage or in blitzing. It remains to be seen whether he can be an anchor against the run. I believe one of the reasons he dropped was lack of upper body strength, so if he could put on some muscle weight, he might get up to the ideal weight/size we'd like at SILB.

However, one guy whose measurables scream Patriots strongisde inside linebacker is Jasper Brinkley. 270 LBS, and can run a 4.7. He looked pretty good in the bowl game, so I searched his name here and saw a few forumers who were down on his play during the season. I know he's coming back from a knee injury.

So, after the bowl game, all things considered, what's the consensus on his play and whether he'd fit for the Pats? I don't see many other guys out there with that size and speed who could potentially have that impact Ted Johnson had, that we've been lacking ever since Bruschi been asked to man the SILB position.

his biggest issue is the long term prospects for his injured knee.........if it was 100%, he'd be at least a mid 2nd rounder........if he works out well this spring, that's where he will go.........or he will be one of these guys who someone trades for to be the first pick of day 2

he's got the package to be brutal against the run, but with that knee, his COD ability for coverage might be a liability

his biggest issue is the long term prospects for his injured knee.........if it was 100%, he'd be at least a mid 2nd rounder........if he works out well this spring, that's where he will go.........or he will be one of these guys who someone trades for to be the first pick of day 2

he's got the package to be brutal against the run, but with that knee, his COD ability for coverage might be a liability

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He's now a year removed from the injury, so that does make a difference. Hopefully he's returned to form. I personally liked the looks of him in the bowl game and all the highlights I've seen of him, but I didn't watch him enough to trust my judgment here.

He's now a year removed from the injury, so that does make a difference. Hopefully he's returned to form. I personally liked the looks of him in the bowl game and all the highlights I've seen of him, but I didn't watch him enough to trust my judgment here.

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the latest that I've read is that he's not 100% back to where he was before the injury........to be taken with the usual grain of salt......

if he is 100%, he will likely be gone by the time the pats draft in the 2nd round, and I think taking him in the first round would be too much of a reach

His twin brother "Casper" (and no, I'm not making that up) is on the Panthers practice squad and did not sniff any PT this year. So I don't know how much better one twin can be than the other (although Curtis Strange is a twin and his brother only made the tour for a few years, never winning).

I watched Jasper a couple of times, and he is good, but I don't think that he is "first round" talent.

His twin brother "Casper" (and no, I'm not making that up) is on the Panthers practice squad and did not sniff any PT this year. So I don't know how much better one twin can be than the other (although Curtis Strange is a twin and his brother only made the tour for a few years, never winning).

I watched Jasper a couple of times, and he is good, but I don't think that he is "first round" talent.

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LOL at Casper. I noticed that when I was googling Jasper. Guess their parents didn't really feel like having to memorize two wildly different names.

He may not be first round talent, but his measurables certainly help out the cause. I can't get over how big and fast he is - its rare to see a college LB who could actually project to SILB for us in that regard.

BOR, think it's BOR, has been pleading for an ILB that can split wigs on the opposing O-line one on one a la Ted Johnson, and I agree.

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Yup, that's me, but Jasper isn't high on my wish list. I see him as a bigger version of Oscar Lua. "Before" his knee injury he wasn't any great shakes, for all the hype I was reading from fans I at least expected a guy who could play downhill - I would have taken his brother Casper ahead of him. I haven't watched the bowl game recording yet, but Jasper would have had to have one heck of a strong game for me to consider him before the 5th round (and only then because the Pats pick late in the round.

Yup, that's me, but Jasper isn't high on my wish list. I see him as a bigger version of Oscar Lua. "Before" his knee injury he wasn't any great shakes, for all the hype I was reading from fans I at least expected a guy who could play downhill - I would have taken his brother Casper ahead of him. I haven't watched the bowl game recording yet, but Jasper would have had to have one heck of a strong game for me to consider him before the 5th round (and only then because the Pats pick late in the round.

Yup, that's me, but Jasper isn't high on my wish list. I see him as a bigger version of Oscar Lua. "Before" his knee injury he wasn't any great shakes, for all the hype I was reading from fans I at least expected a guy who could play downhill - I would have taken his brother Casper ahead of him. I haven't watched the bowl game recording yet, but Jasper would have had to have one heck of a strong game for me to consider him before the 5th round (and only then because the Pats pick late in the round.

Before the injury I preferred Casper - of the two, he clearly had the better hands for engaging, stacking, and shedding OL. I got to see him playing OLB before they moved him back down to DE again, he didn't appear to be as athletic as his brother, but he always left me feeling he was a better fit for a 3-4. If anything, I thought Jasper's quickness and football awareness had improved coming back from the knee injury - but the guy still plays like he's in molasses.